ESPN's Jesse Palmer: Michigan State can get double digit wins if offense pulls own weight

EAST LANSING -- Speaking on SportsCenter from Michigan State's weight room, ESPN college football analyst Jesse Palmer placed the pressure on the Spartans' offense that slumped last season to help make the team a Rose Bowl contender.

"Can the offense make enough plays for them to compete for a conference title?" Palmer asked. "Simply put, this offense has to step up, and it starts at the quarterback position. Andrew Maxwell last year, way too inconsistent.

"Now the quarterbacks need some help as well. Last year the wide receivers, way too many critical drops on explosive plays downfield, big third downs. For Bennie Fowler, Keith Mumphery or Tony Lippett, you've got to step up and make those catches.

"With the schedule they have, with the defense they are going to have, if the offense can just pull their own weight, this team could get back to double digit wins."

Michigan State's offense was 10th in the Big Ten in scoring offense, with coach Mark Dantonio's unit featuring a new play-caller in Dave Warner and a new starting tailback to replace Le'Veon Bell that has yet to be determined. There is also a competition for the starting quarterback job Maxwell held last year, as Dantonio has made the quarterbacks live this spring to promote his signal caller's ability to create while keeping the defense on its toes.

The defense was first in scoring defense in the conference and fourth in the nation in total defense.

"Michigan State has to find a way to get their swagger back," Palmer said.

"The good news, they were at least competitive. They lost
five conference games by a combined 13 points, and it was because of their
defense. This year, their defense will be outstanding again."